Letters -- Published Feb. 22, 2010

While dining out, I have observed the following situation a few times and it saddens me greatly:

While dining out, I have observed the following situation a few times and it saddens me greatly:

A grandparent is dining with a grandchild. All through dinner the grandchild is texting on the phone. Grandpa is eating quietly looking lonely, as if he is eating alone. I am assuming that the grandparent offered to pay for the meal and wanted company, because he eats alone at home. I'm so saddened by this that I am unable to enjoy my meal. In fact, I feel like inviting this person to our table - and I might just do so next time.

I have one rule: I ask my friends and family to please call my home phone and leave a message. They are only to call my cell phone in an emergency.

Mary Shaw-Haakonstad

Stockton

If it wasn't so sad it would be funny reading the Democrats' posting that blames the Republican Party for not passing Obama's health care insurance reform bill.

These Democrats are the same ones who did not want anything to do with what Republicans had to say on TARP and the infamous "Porkulus" legislation. Now, after they decided to have every back room deal done in private, President Obama wants Republican feedback.

President Obama has the "bully pulpit," both houses of Congress, and the MSN in his pocket and he still can't get the job done. Maybe he could start blaming Fox News again instead of the person staring at him in the mirror.

Gary Musto

Lodi

There are two times in my life when I did not have health insurance; when my husband and I owned a small business years ago and now. I have been without employment (and insurance) for two years.

» 1987 - We purchased a small print shop on a shoestring budget. To attract good employees we provided (very expensive) health insurance for our employees, but could not afford coverage for ourselves. It is still too costly for small business in 2010.

» 2008 - No longer employed; COBRA too expensive.

» 2009 - Obama was elected. Now thanks to his legislation when my ex-husband became one of the unemployed he could afford to keep his insurance thanks to the reduced cost of COBRA coverage..

I am 62 years old and feel like a time bomb. It's financially impossible for me to have the tests recommended annually for a woman my age.

It's sad to see The Record backslide after making an effort to report the news without a racist slant.

Your recent front page spread on Ramiro Reyes, and by association Arthur Murillo (and the inclusion of Reyes' mugshot that resembles a certain rapist/murderer from this area awaiting execution) is unjustifiable by any standard as a front page story ("Shakedown alleged," Jan. 31, The Record).

My hypothesis: You saw an opportunity to fell two good Latino men who care about their city and are very active in trying to improve their community. That they are Democrats probably made it that much harder for you to resist relapsing to your former type of reporting.

The damage to these men's ability to defend themselves is significant. Among other things you have vitiated the jury pool. Are we to have a situation here reminiscent of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" because of your brazen and irresponsible reporting?

For the sake of sanity, fairness and journalistic impartiality, please offer Mr. Reyes and Mr. Murillo an apology.